Onel Hernandez is set to embark on a new chapter in his football career after parting ways with Charlton Athletic, a development that has certainly caught the attention of Norwich City supporters. The dynamic winger, who made a significant impact during his time at Carrow Road, is now actively seeking a new club following a challenging and injury-riddled spell at The Valley. Read more about Springett Targets Lasting Impact as Canaries Rise.
Hernandez joined Charlton in September on a short-term contract, aiming to strengthen Nathan Jones's squad as they adapted to life in the Championship. Unfortunately, his contributions were limited, with only six appearances to his name before injuries curtailed his involvement. Read more about Ahmed Chooses Norwich as Clement's Vision Impresses.
His final outing for Charlton came during a 3-1 defeat to Coventry City, where he played just 12 minutes as a substitute in late November. Following this match, a hamstring injury sidelined him for crucial fixtures over the festive period, including a missed return to Carrow Road on Boxing Day, where his former teammates secured a vital 1-0 victory against relegation contenders.
Nathan Jones, Charlton’s manager, confirmed Hernandez's departure during a recent press briefing, which also included the announcement of fellow new signing Jrme Roussillon's exit. The decision not to extend Hernandez's three-month contract comes as the club prepares for a demanding away fixture against Leicester City this weekend.
"Onel's been injured for the last four, five weeks," Jones remarked. "It's meant that his opportunities have been curtailed, but the lads love him. Onel started really well and then just picked up an injury because, again, when you take a free agent he hadn't played, he hadn't trained at the intensity that we do and so on. He was unfortunate with that. We wish both Onel and Jrme all the best for the future."
Hernandez's journey at Norwich City began in January 2018 when he transferred from Eintracht Braunschweig in Germany’s Bundesliga Two. During his time at Norwich, he became a key figure, featuring in 210 matches and celebrating two Championship title victories. Notably, he made history as the first Cuban player to score in the Premier League, achieving this milestone in a match against Manchester United in 2019.
After his contract with Norwich concluded last summer, Hernandez briefly trained with Sheffield Wednesday in hopes of a transfer to Hillsborough. However, those plans fell through due to the club's financial difficulties. Despite interest from clubs overseas, he opted to remain in the UK, leading to his current search for a new team.
As Hernandez seeks a fresh opportunity, his vibrant playing style and commitment on the pitch are likely to attract attention from potential suitors.